Dig out the winter woolies as Arctic wind to pound city

Arctic air from the North Pole is set to sweep across Dublin this week. Strong winds and snow are also forecast, while a band of sleet, heavy rain, and icy gusts gather pace.

This morning will start wet in the capital with "persistant or heavy rain" and southwest winds ranging from "strong to gusty".

Temperatues will reach 11 degrees and it will become drier as the day goes on but it will be colder in the afternoon according to Met Eireann.

Today will start off windy along the south and west coasts, particularly in counties Waterford, Cork, Kerry and Clare.

Heavy downpours will affect all parts for a time, and motorists are warned to watch out for spot flooding in places.

Met Eireann said sleet and hill snow will fall over Ulster, but as the day progresses conditions will turn drier and brighter in the afternoon, except for southern counties.

Temperatures will hit a high of 13C - but it will remain cold over Ulster at only 5-6C.

Tuesday in Dublin is expected to be milder and more heavy rain is expected to cross the country on Wednesday.

Showers could turn wintry on higher ground on Thursday and icy roads are expected that night as temperatures plumet to -4 degrees.

Extreme

Elsewhere, tomorrow there will be extreme winds in southern counties, particularly in exposed counties.

Heavy rain in the morning will slowly clear. However, damp, misty conditions, will continue to persist around Mayo, Clare and Galway, on exposed southern coastal counties, and close to higher ground.

Temperatures will tumble overnight on Wednesday with lows of 0 to 2C, with frost and icy stretches likely. The east and south of Ireland will be wet for much of Thursday, with the rain possibly turning wintry on higher ground.

Met Eireann warned that with temperatures barely getting above freezing, there is a greater risk from icy conditions, particularly for motorists.

Drivers have been urged to drive carefully and within agreed speed limits.